2024 Training

Attention: All vendors (new and existing) must take the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) training this year due to modernization changes.

Sign up for a training session now

  • You must register by 5 p.m. the day before your scheduled session.
  • For Microsoft Teams virtual trainings, we will email you the meeting information by noon the day before the training takes place. You can join a Microsoft Teams meeting for free and don't need to create an account. You can also call into the meeting if you don't have access to a smart phone or computer.

multi-colored overlapping notes with black question marks on each

Do you have questions about FMNP?

  • Visit our Q & A page for commonly asked questions about modernization and FMNP in general.
  • If you can't find the answer to your question, call us at 651-201-6060 or email us at fmnp.mda@state.mn.us.

Why FMNP?

  • Do you grow fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs and sell them at farmers' markets?
  • Are you looking for a way to increase sales and reach new customers?

Farmers provide fresh, unprocessed, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are at the core of both the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) and Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) (together known as FMNP). At the same time, FMNP participants learn about farmers' markets and how to buy fresh products from local farmers.

If you grow fresh fruits and vegetables, sell them at farmers' markets, and want to increase sales and reach new customers, read more about becoming an Authorized Vendor for the FMNP below. Due to limited funding, we can only offer these programs in a limited number of areas – ask your market manager if your market participates in these programs.


Farmers' Market sign surrounded by baskets of fresh produceRequirements for Vendors

To be eligible to become an Authorized Vendor, you must:

  • Grow the items that you sell
  • Sell fresh, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, or herbs
  • Sell your items at an Authorized Farmers' Market
  • Be a resident of Minnesota or a neighboring state

Requirements for all Authorized Vendors

To be eligible to sell produce to FMNP participants, you must:

  • Determine that you sell fresh, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, and herbs at an Authorized Farmers' Market.
  • Take a short 30-minute MDA training in March or April (because of the major program changes in 2024).
  • Complete a Vendor Authorization Agreement (only available by attending a Vendor Training Session).
    • After you complete the training, you will get a link to the online Vendor Authorization Agreement.
  • Have an Authorization Letter from the MDA.

NOTE: You are NOT an Authorized Vendor until you receive your Authorization Letter from us. We'll send out authorization materials between May 1 and June 15. If you haven't received your Authorization Letter by June 15, contact us.

REMEMBER: You must be reauthorized EVERY year to continue to accept FMNP checks.


Modernization updates

In 2024, FMNP will look different. The national program is changing from paper to electronic management (modernization).

FMNP Modernization anticipated timeline - details below

2024 FMNP modernization anticipated timeline

  • January: Look for the first email about modernization updates.
  • February: We’ll send letters and emails about authorization.
  • March/April: All vendors and market managers must take training – in-person or virtual.
  • May/June: We’ll finish vendor and market authorizations and mail out program materials.

Get to know the FMNP team

Smiling woman with medium length red-brown hair
Emily Mehr

Emily Mehr has been with the MDA and coordinating the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program since 2020. Supporting local agriculture has been a passion of Emily’s for 15+ years. Prior to joining the MDA, she was involved in a variety of ag-centered roles relating to farm to school, school gardens, CSA farms, and MN farmers’ markets. In addition to FMNP, she manages the agency’s Farm to School, Urban Agriculture, and Good Food Access Program grants.

Smiling woman with long blonde hair
Christina Iliev

Christina Iliev has been in state service for over 12 years and at the MDA for the past six years. She works as the Commodity Council Coordinator and Assistant Program Coordinator for the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. In this capacity, she is responsible for the administrative oversight of all 13 commodity councils in the state as well as leading specific elements of the FMNP pertaining to participating farmers and markets.